Production has resumed at Europe’s largest emerald deposit in the Sverdlovsk Region in the Urals following an idle period of several years, the regional governor’s press department reported.
Beryl, the source of emeralds and the principal ore of beryllium, as well as ores of rare earth metals, were produced at the deposit for defense and nuclear industry needs, but in the 1990s the mine faced financial difficulties due to the cancellation of state orders and neglect by the new owners.
Beryl is a strategic raw material for aircraft and rocket manufacturing, guidance and positioning systems, production of special alloys and other high-tech industries.
Ultimately the license to the deposit was issued to the Kaliningrad amber plant that maintained it in a safe, working condition for the past three years.
The mine will provide 560 jobs once production reaches design capacity.
“For a small mining town, this is a substantial figure. Many social and economic problems in the district will be resolved, and the quality of life will rise. People will feel confident about the future,” acting Governor Anatoly Gredin said.
